Dodgers have more to offer Clayton Kershaw than Rangers

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be faced with a reality that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. Even though he has plenty of gas left in the tank, future Hall of Fame southpaw Clayton Kershaw could be on the verge of leaving the only team he’s ever known in baseball.

The Texas Rangers have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Kershaw if he decides to call time on his Dodgers career. Not only will they be willing to fork over handfuls of cash to get a deal done, but it could bring the Dallas native back home as he begins the final chapters of his career. 

Kershaw, who struggled with injuries at times this year, still managed to post a 3.55 ERA while striking out more than a batter an inning. Even at his advanced age, Kershaw is still a high-level southpaw that is capable of getting some big outs.

The Dodgers have publically espoused that they want Kershaw to return, though it seems like Texas is going to make a push for him. While Kershaw has earned the right to do what he pleases in this scenario, choosing Texas over Los Angeles might seem a bit weird from a competitive point of view.

Will Clayton Kershaw choose the Dodgers or Rangers?

While the fact that Kershaw returning home and potentially taking home a bit more money should come into play, No. 22 is nothing if not a borderline psychotic competitor. Even if the Rangers spend a ton of money on players like Kershaw and Seiya Suzuki in the offseason, the most ardent Texas fans will still admit they are not favorites to make the playoffs.

He might have a championship after years of plodding with the Dodgers, but it would be very unlike Kershaw to take a payday like this for a team that is simply not going to be a factor in the postseason in 2022. Not only will LA guarantee him a rotation spot and some nice financial compensation, but they will once again be among the World Series favorites.

While Kershaw has every individual and team accolade that one could imagine in Los Angeles, and the Rangers could start building a very promising future, leaving a championship contender for a 2022 team that likely not going to move the needle for a paycheck and the chance to play at home seems a bit odd at face value.

While the Dodgers could still bring back Max Scherzer to create an elite rotation that featured Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, and Dustin May in the future, they would certainly carve out a role for Kershaw if he returned. Ultimately, it’ll fall on Kershaw when it comes to deciding what shade of blue to wear next year.

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